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Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Gundicha Temple gets a facelift ahead of Rath Yatra
Bhubaneswar: Gundicha Temple, where the deities of Jagannath temple were born, is being prepared for a visual transformation through enhancement work before Rath Yatra on June 27. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "The beautification work includes stone-cladding of the outer boundary wall, landscaping and illumination arrangements to welcome the deities at their place of birth during Rath Yatra. The aesthetic transformation will give a visual delight to the deities and devotees," chief administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), Arabinda Kumar Padhee told TOI. The temple's exterior boundary wall, previously constructed of bricks, has received fresh plastering and Khondalite stone cladding, showcasing Odisha's architectural heritage. A protective fence is being installed around the wall to maintain its sanctity and restrict public access. Ornamental trees are being planted near the shrine as part of landscaping effort. "The initial phase involves stone cladding of the shrine's front wall, with plans to extend the treatment to the side and rear walls in subsequent phases after Rath Yatra," Padhee said. A new room has been built near the temple entrance for administrative purposes, complementing the existing information centre. An LED display will be installed outside to provide devotees with information about rituals at the Jagannath temple, located about 3 km away on the Grand Road. "Post-Rath Yatra, the Odisha Bridge & Construction Corporation Limited will undertake comprehensive renovation inside Gundicha Temple, including improvements of the kitchen and Nata Mandap. Murals highlighting Jagannath culture will be crafted on walls inside the shrine," Padhee said. Gundicha Temple, recognised as the deities' garden home due to its abundant trees, remains vacant except during Rath Yatra when the deities stay in it.
India Today
28-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Why Odisha govt wants to trademark Jagannath terminologies
BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari is likely to find some political satisfaction in the Odisha government's move to secure trademark rights over key religious terms associated with the revered Jagannath Temple in Puri. The decision comes on the heels of a sharp controversy over the naming of a new temple in West Bengal's Digha as Jagannath Dham—a row that Adhikari, who is leader of the Opposition in the Bengal legislative assembly, had vocally amplified, accusing the Mamata Banerjee government of 'cultural appropriation'.In a significant cultural and legal counter-move, the Mohan Charan Majhi-led BJP government in Odisha has formally initiated steps to trademark a cluster of terms intrinsically tied to Jagannath worship and the spiritual geography of Puri. These include 'Jagannath Dham', 'Shree Mandira', 'Purushottam Kshetra', 'Neelachal Dham', 'Bada Danda', 'Mahaprasad' and 'Neela Chakra'.advertisementThe development not only strengthens Odisha's cultural sovereignty over the Jagannath tradition but also raises the possibility of legal friction with the Bengal government, which has thus far remained silent on Odisha's Padhee, chief administrator of the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA), confirmed the decision and said the process of finalising the list of protected terms was underway. 'Once we obtain trademark rights, any unauthorised use of these expressions will be legally actionable,' he stated. According to Padhee, these names were not mere labels but sacred expressions deeply embedded in the liturgy, history and ritual fabric of the Jagannath tradition, many of them traceable to ancient Hindu trigger was the inauguration last month of the Digha Jagannath temple by Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who described the site as 'Jagannath Dham'. This provoked sharp reactions in Odisha, with the state accusing Bengal of diminishing the religious and cultural sanctity of the original Jagannath Dham in Puri—one of the 'Char Dhams' in use of 'Jagannath Dham' in any context other than Puri undermines centuries of sacred tradition,' said an official from what may be viewed as both a religious and political escalation, Majhi had written to Mamata, seeking an explanation and urging restraint. In fact, one of the servitors from the Puri temple, who had led the consecration rituals in Digha, and was also accused of supplying unused wood from Nabakalebar for the deities in the new temple, was move to trademark temple terminology is now being steered through the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Union ministry of commerce and industry. The SJTA is compiling archival documents, historical records and scriptural evidence to support their application, which aims to protect the exclusivity of the Jagannath tradition from unauthorised usage or plan has won the support of Odisha's religious scholars, cultural historians and even the titular Maharaj of Puri, Gajapati Maharaj Dibyasingha Deb, who chairs the Jagannath Temple Managing parallel with this cultural assertion, preparations for the grand Rath Yatra, scheduled for June 27, are on in full swing. At a high-level meeting of the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee, several operational decisions were taken to ensure the smooth execution of the annual chariot festival. These included the formation of dedicated 'Pahandi Dalas' (teams responsible for carrying idols onto the chariots), the enforcement of restrictions on non-servitors accessing chariots, and a complete ban on mobile phones atop the committee also reviewed security measures around the sacred Ratna Bhandar (the temple's treasury), and debated the relocation of the donation box (Hundi) to prevent crowding within the sanctum sanctorum. Furthermore, a proposal will be sent to the urban development department to limit the height of buildings around the Shree Mandir and Gundicha Temple, aiming to preserve ritual purity and visual the Rath Yatra approaching, emotions around Lord Jagannath and his place in India's spiritual landscape are running high. Odisha's decision to trademark sacred terminology is not merely about legal protection; it is an assertion of identity in the face of what is seen as cultural overreach by a neighbouring state. The controversy has also offered Adhikari a potent narrative—one that allows him to accuse the Bengal government of not just political opportunism but of desecrating centuries-old spiritual to India Today MagazineTrending Reel advertisement
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Odisha govt plans to trademark dham, shree mandira, other words associated with Puri Jagannath Temple
The Mohan Charan Majhi-led Odisha govt has decided to secure trademark rights for several words and phrases associated with Jagannath Temple in Puri, according to a TOI report. The decision comes in the wake of a recent controversy over the naming of a newly built temple in Bengal's Digha as 'Jagannath dham'. "The terms sought to be shielded include 'Jagannath dham', 'shree mandira', 'Purushottam kshetra', 'neelachal dham', 'bada danda', 'mahaprasad' and 'neela chakra'," reported TOI quoting Arabinda Padhee, chief administrator of Shree Jagannath Temple Administration. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If You Eat Ginger Everyday for 1 Month This is What Happens Tips and Tricks Undo What are experts and scholars saying? The final list of words is being finalised. Once we get the trademark rights, their unauthorised use will be considered a violation and invite legal action. These terms are deeply rooted in ancient Hindu scriptures and are intrinsically linked to culture and traditions involving Jagannath, Arabinda Padhee, chief administrator of SJTA, said. The Odisha government is currently gathering necessary documents and historical evidence to support its claims. SJTA further said that it would soon move the department for promotion of industry and internal trade under Union ministry of commerce and industry, which oversees the application process, according to the TOI report. Live Events Officials maintained that the absence of any existing trademark rights for these terms has limited their ability to legally challenge use of the name 'Jagannath dham' by Digha temple authorities. State Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan added, "Our Chief Minister has already written a letter to his West Bengal counterpart. As that letter remains unanswered, the state is considering legal action." The SJTMC also discussed preparations for the upcoming annual Rath Yatra, scheduled for June 27. Padhee said, "The SJTMC has decided to form a 'Pahandi Dala' (idol procession team) for each chariot during the Rath Yatra, with the number of servitors to be finalised by the SJTA, Puri Collector, Chhatisa Nijog (servitors' body), and other stakeholders in a future meeting." The committee also reached a consensus on ensuring smooth arrangements for the Rath Yatra and related rituals. Detailed discussions were held on the Snana Yatra (bathing ritual), Ghosa Yatra (chariot procession), and Bahuda Yatra (return chariot festival). Special focus will be placed on the smooth Pahandi (procession) of the idols onto the chariots and their return to the temples. Responding to another query, Padhee said non-servitors would be strictly prohibited from accessing the chariots. "Strong action will be taken against violators," he said, adding that carrying mobile phones on the chariots would also be banned. "This will amount to criminal charges," he warned. Padhee further said that the committee discussed additional issues such as the relocation of the Hundi (donation box) from inside the temple, and the imposition of restrictions on the height of buildings around the Shree Mandir and Gundicha Temple to prevent disruptions to rituals. "The Urban Development Department will be informed, and a formal request will be made to the government to enforce this restriction," he said. The meeting also discussed on the safety of the Ratna Bhandar (temple treasury) and the protection and proper management of the landed properties of Lord Jagannath.
NDTV
27-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Odisha To Patent Words Linked To Jagannath Temple Amid Fight With Bengal
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government has announced to secure trademark rights for various words and phrases that are associated with the Jagannath Temple in Puri amid an ongoing dispute over a newly-inaugurated temple in West Bengal. The West Bengal government's reference to the temple in Bigha as "Jagannath Dham", a term historically and scripturally reserved for the 12th-century temple in Puri, has met with strong objections from religious scholars, priests and politicians in Odisha. Arabinda Padhee, a Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee (SJTMC) official, said on Monday that they will soon apply for patent terms like Mahaprasad (bhog), Srimandir (temple), Shree Jagannath Dham (place), Shreekshetra (place), and Purushottam Dham (place), among others. "This will help prevent misuse of the 12th century's original spiritual identity and unauthorised use of its sacred terminology," Mr Padhee, an IAS officer, told reporters. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated the 'Jagannath Dham' on April 30. Ms Banerjee has defended the use of the name 'Jagannath Dham' and blamed the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for the controversy, describing it as 'jealousy'. "I have heard that the Daitapati has been questioned for coming to conduct the puja here. They have issued a notification asking them not to come to Jagannath Dham (in West Bengal). Why are they so irked? We all go to Puri. We never question. When I go to Puri, the BJP protests. Why so much jealousy over the Jagannath Dham? When you fall short of potatoes, Bengal supplies. I love Odisha," she said this month. Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan has said they are planning to take legal steps in the matter, calling it a case of 'title theft'. "The whole world and all the devotees of Lord Jagannath are condemning the cunning way of the title theft initiative. If things will not be resolved properly, we will take legal steps in a bid to protect the Jagannath culture. We are reviewing the matter," Mr Harichandan said. The temple at Digha has been built at a cost of Rs 250 crore and is a replica of the Jagannath Temple in Puri, which is recognized as one of the four dhams (holy places) in India.
Hans India
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Move to patent terms linked to Puri temple
Puri: In the light of the ongoing dispute with West Bengal over the naming of the Digha temple as a 'Dham,' the Shree Jagannath Temple Managing Committee (SJTMC) on Monday decided to patent certain words and logos associated with the 12th-century shrine in Odisha. A proposal to this effect was approved at the SJTMC meeting chaired by the Gajapati Maharaja of Puri, Dibyasingha Deb, and attended by ex officio members including Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Shree Jagannath Temple Administration (SJTA) Chief Administrator Arabinda Padhee, Puri District Collector Siddharth Shankar Swain, Puri SP Vinit Agarwal and others. 'The SJTA will soon apply to patent terms like Mahaprasad (bhog), Srimandir (temple), Shree Jagannath Dham (place), Shreekshetra (place) and Purushottam Dham (place), among others. A proposal in this regard has been approved by the SJTMC,' said Arabinda Padhee, an IAS officer, while addressing reporters. Padhee said patenting specific words and logos related to the Jagannath Temple would serve as a legal instrument to protect the cultural, religious and spiritual identity of the Puri temple. 'This will help prevent misuse of the 12th century's original spiritual identity and unauthorised use of its sacred terminology,' he added. Regarding the ongoing row with the West Bengal government over the alleged misuse of the term Jagannath Dham, Padhee said the matter would be addressed by the State governments. Deb said, 'The West Bengal government cannot use the term 'Jagannath Dham' for their temple at Digha. This is against Hindu scriptures and the age-old tradition of Lord Jagannath.' Replying to a query, the Gajapati Maharaja asserted that the issue should be resolved amicably between the two State governments, as the Digha temple is a project developed by the West Bengal government. 'It is better to settle the matter through dialogue instead of seeking legal shelter,' Deb said. State Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said, 'Our Chief Minister has already written a letter to his West Bengal counterpart. As that letter remains unanswered, the State is considering legal action.' The SJTMC also discussed preparations for the upcoming annual Rath Yatra, scheduled for June 27. Padhee said, 'The SJTMC has decided to form a 'Pahandi Dala' (idol procession team) for each chariot during the Rath Yatra, with the number of servitors to be finalised by the SJTA, Puri Collector, Chhatisa Nijog (servitors' body) and other stakeholders in a future meeting.' The committee also reached a consensus on ensuring smooth arrangements for the Rath Yatra and related rituals. Detailed discussions were held on the Snana Yatra (bathing ritual), Ghosa Yatra (chariot procession) and Bahuda Yatra (return chariot festival). Special focus will be placed on the smooth Pahandi (procession) of the idols onto the chariots and their return to the temples. Responding to another query, Padhee said non-servitors would be strictly prohibited from accessing the chariots. 'Strong action will be taken against violators,' he said, adding that carrying mobile phones on the chariots would also be banned. 'This will amount to criminal charges,' he warned. Padhee further said the committee discussed additional issues such as the relocation of the Hundi (donation box) from inside the temple, and the imposition of restrictions on the height of buildings around the Shree Mandir and Gundicha Temple to prevent disruptions to rituals. 'The Urban Development department will be informed, and a formal request will be made to the government to enforce this restriction,' he said. The meeting also discussed on the safety of the Ratna Bhandar (temple treasury) and the protection and proper management of the landed properties of Lord Jagannath.
